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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | South Africa: from Codesa to Leipzig? |
Author: | Hamill, J. |
Year: | 1993 |
Periodical: | The World Today: Chatham House Review |
Volume: | 49 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 12-16 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | South Africa |
Subjects: | national liberation movements peace negotiations African National Congress (South Africa) |
Abstract: | In May 1992, negotiations at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) broke down. The ANC, in response to what was perceived to be a consistent pattern of government intransigence, decided to push ahead with the so-called 'Leipzig option'. This was to be a nonviolent campaign of mass action designed to force a series of concessions from the De Klerk government and, ultimately, to secure its removal from power. This article examines the objectives and tactics of the mass action campaign of August-September 1992 and discusses the obstacles to its success. The De Klerk-Mandela memorandum of understanding of 26 September reopened the path to formal constitutional negotiations. The article argues, however, that it remains questionable whether the accord will prove durable, far less provide the basis for a more expansive agreement. Four specific problem areas are identified: genuine political differences, conflicting pressures upon De Klerk, tensions within the ANC alliance, and political violence. Ref. |